MANILA, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) held on Monday, July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa has put an end to the traditional red carpet fashion show by lawmakers and their spouses.

A week before the event, incoming Finance Department spokesperson Paola Alvarez announced that the dress code for Duterte’s SONA will be simple “business attire.”

Alvarez said: “We will downplay the event. It will not be a fashion show.”

“We want to center on what the President's message is to our people, especially it's his First State of the Nation Address,” Alvarez added.

Unlike previous SONA events where female guests donned designer-made Filipiniana gowns, they are now discouraged to wear long gowns. Although they will be allowed to wear Filipiniana attire, it should not be more than knee length, according to Alvarez.

Despite the big change in SONA fashion, several guests managed to wow the crowd in their relatively simple attire.

Let’s take a look at SONA fashion, then and now.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and wife Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano

Sen. Grace Poe

Sen. Loren Legarda

Sen. Pia Cayetano

Leni Robredo with daughters

Sen. Chiz Escudero and wife Heart Evangelista-Escudero

Meanwhile, Sen. Nancy Binay stole the show after she reportedly forgot Duterte’s memo regarding SONA attire. Good thing the lady senator managed to change her outfit in a whirlwind.